Sherlock Holmes: ... at Sir Arthur Sullivan's

by Tim Heath

Please Note: The full and correct title of this play is: 'Sherlock Holmes: The Adventure At Sir Arthur Sullivan's'

Synopsis

1891: Holmes and Watson are invited to perform at a charity gala at the home of the composer Sir Arthur Sullivan. Holmes chooses two of Watson’s hitherto unpublished cases, 'A Scandal in Bohemia' and 'Charles Augustus Milverton', which our heroes perform with two other guests as staged ‘readings’. (The adaptation of Conan Doyle’s two original stories is faithful. How much these ‘readings’ are presented ‘script-in-hand’ is at the discretion of the director.)

But what is the real reason for our heroes being invited to perform? And why does Holmes choose those two cases? "I know an optical illusion when I see one," quips the great detective. But does he?

This fast-moving drama plays out in simple settings suggesting Covent Garden at night, 221b Baker Street, on board a train to Weybridge and in the drawing-room at Sir Arthur’s. The action contains songs, burglaries, chases, one shooting, blackmail, revenge and some extraordinary acting and piano-playing by Dr Watson.

First produced in 1996 at the Komedia Theatre, Brighton and on tour, 'The Adventure at Sir Arthur Sullivan’s' takes its place in the canon of Sherlockian entertainment with Victorian aplomb, Wildean wit and great style.

"Laughs, excitement and intrigue keep bubbling merrily until the end...a fast-moving, feel-good piece of theatre."What’s On

Running Time

120 mins approx (inc Interval)

Characters

(3m, 2f)

Sherlock Holmes, 37

Dr John Watson, 40s

Violet Jones, 30s, a socially ambitious amateur singer and friend of Sir Arthur. Needs to be a competent mezzo-soprano or soprano. (Plays the adventuress Irene Adler in the first story and the Veiled Lady in the second).

Edward Jones, 30s-40s, a suburban solicitor. (Plays the bombastic King of Bohemia in the first story, the blackmailer Milverton and Inspector Lestrade in the second).

Mrs Hudson, 50s-60s, Holmes’ landlady and housekeeper, a very small role. (Can be played as an offstage voice by the actress playing Violet Jones or appear onstage according to staging/set design).

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